Cash boost for Faughan Valley

The first round pass is an endorsement of the outline proposals by the Rural Area Partnership in Derry Ltd (RAPID) in partnership with The Woodland Trust and Derry City Council, and will allow the applicant to progress to the second round and submit a further, fully-developed application to secure the full award. A HLF grant of 49,400 was also awarded to support the development of the more detailed proposals. The development phase was officially launched at the RAPID Offices in Killaloo last week by the Mayor, Paul Fleming.

Landscape Partnerships is Heritage Lottery Fund’s initiative offering grants for schemes led by partnerships which aim to conserve areas of distinctive landscape character throughout the UK. They act as a catalyst to bring organisations and communities together to form partnerships that create a shared vision for the conservation and management of our landscape heritage, enabling people to tackle the heritage needs of their local landscapes in a co-ordinated and effective way.

The Faughan Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme covers a large area of 100 square kilometres (nearly 10,000 hectares). The proposed area extends from the foothills of the North Sperrins along the River Faughan. Within the area, there are a variety of landscape patterns including natural habitats, built heritage as well as archaeological and historical features. The river and its hinterland form the basis of the partnership area.

In a Northern Ireland and even European context this is a hugely significant area. The River Faughan, the surrounding woodlands and the Sperrins are all designated for their significant wildlife value and conservation potential, including an area of very rare ancient woodland. The area is also rich in archaeological and historic sites of both local and regional significance.

The scheme, developed by the Rural Area Partnership in Derry Ltd (RAPID), Derry City Council and the Woodland Trust, will revitalise the landscape, restore habitats and through woodland management create a wildlife corridor along the river. It will also provide opportunities for people living within the area to become more involved with the natural heritage on their doorstep through a number of heritage and education projects that will respect and enhance the character of the landscape.

Chairperson of RAPID, Mr Jim McColgan said: “This initiative is a joint effort between the three partners – RAPID, Derry City Council and the Woodland Trust and we are working with local groups, landowners and interested parties - to conserve the landscape, wildlife and rich heritage of the Faughan Valley. We would particularly welcome any suggestions from local people for suitable projects with links to biodiversity, woodland creation, cultural heritage, archaeology, built heritage and the historic environment.”

RAPID have organised a series of public information evenings over the next few weeks in order to publicise the scheme and to get feedback and ideas from the local community. The timetable for the information evenings is as follows: Tuesday 23rd February, Community House, Lettershandoney at 7.30pm; Monday 1st March, The Diamond Centre, Claudy at 8pm; Tuesday 2nd March, S.A.L.T. Community Centre at 7.30pm; Thursday 4th March, Eglinton Community Centre at 8pm; Tuesday 9th March, Learmount Community Centre at 7.30pm; Thursday 11th March, Strathfoyle Community Centre at 8pm.

An online questionnaire can also be completed at www.faughanvalley.co.uk